Long before we had Manhattans, margaritas, and martinis, we had punch. Commonly considered to be the original cocktail, recipes for punch date back to the 17th century and would traditionally contain various mixtures of alcohol, fruits, sugars, and spices. Thought to have begun at sea, punch was a drink developed by British sailors, though its appeal quickly spread. Nowadays we think of punch as the quintessential party drink, the ultimate communal beverage, and a great, cost-effective way to serve up spirits for larger crowds.
This comforting Gaelic punch, from the kitchen of recipe developer Jennine Rye, is a hot punch, which makes it the perfect cozy drink for sipping on cold days. Lemon zest, sugar, nutmeg, and cloves are combined and stewed together, before being strained and then mixed with plenty of Irish whiskey and hot water to give you a drink that will warm you to the core. This drink makes a wonderful alternative to mulled wine in the winter months, and variations on the recipe, such as hot toddies, are often drunk to help alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Read on to find out how you can make this Gaelic punch recipe at home and enjoy this historic beverage from the high seas.
Gather the ingredients for this warm and comforting Gaelic punch recipe
To begin this warm and comforting Gaelic punch recipe, first, you will need to gather the ingredients. You will want lemon zest, granulated sugar, cloves, ground nutmeg, hot water, lemon juice, and your favorite Irish whiskey. To serve, you may additionally want some lemon slices and cloves.
Step 1: Muddle lemon zest and sugar
Muddle together the lemon zest and sugar in a bowl.
Step 2: Add the spices
Add the cloves and nutmeg.
Step 3: Add hot water and lemon juice
Add 1 cup hot water and the lemon juice, and mix.
Step 4: Leave to stand
Leave to stand for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Strain
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
Step 6: Add the whiskey
Pour in the Irish whiskey.
Step 7: Top up with hot water
Pour in the remaining 2 cups hot water.
Step 8: Serve the punch
Serve immediately, with slices of lemon, and, optionally, more cloves.
